Kellett was last seen playing with friends in the street near her family's home in Chicago, Illinois on May 7, 1982. She was apparently seen speaking to an unidentified male shortly before her disappearance. Witnesses told investigators that they saw the man pull Kellett into a blue four-door 1979 Dodge or Pontiac car afterwards. The vehicle was described as having a damaged front passenger door and a license plate beginning with the letters "Q" and "R."

Authorities began searching for Kellett within ten minutes of her abduction, but found no evidence whatsoever as to her whereabouts. She has never been heard from again and the vehicle remains unidentified.